|
Applications of LVL
LVL is a product manufactured by means of parallel grained veneer gluing. LVL beams are widely used for construction of houses and buildings in any climate conditions.
Major advantages of LVL:
- Higher strength compared to glued timber and sawn goods. Owing to the special structure of glued veneer layers, the average durability and bending strength of LVL beams are significantly higher compared to solid wood. For instance, the module of elasticity (stiffness) is 10% higher than that of solid spruce; bending and shear strength is 50% higher.
- Homogeneity. LVL is a homogeneous material with constant characteristics at any point of its length; it possesses stable width=100% width=100% width=100% width=100% width=100% physical properties, which do not depend on seasonal factors, unlike sawn timber.
- High bearing capacity with smaller sizes in cross-section.
- Exclusion of “cold bridges” (at cavities and mounts). Exclusion of condensate or decay consequences.
- Excellent heat insulation and soundproof characteristics.
Dimensions:
Thickness — divisible by veneer thickness — 3 mm, minimal thickness — 21 mm, maximum — 75 mm. Width: 40, 66, 160, 200, 260, 300, 360, 450, 600, 900 and 1800 mm. Length can reach 18 m. Length of LVL beams is a doubtless advantage over sawn goods usually produced 6 m long. In terms of its characteristics, such as dimensional accuracy and straightness, LVL notably dominates over other wooden structural materials. High strength of LVL is achieved by means of thorough selection of veneers and splicing, so that joints of each next layer are situated as on a chess board, evenly along the beam.
Applications
LVL is an ideal material for frame house building, construction of sheds, industrial and commercial buildings, and sport facilities; also it perfectly suits for joist ceilings between storeys, for roofs, attics, and other structures. As LVL beam length reaches 18 m, designers are free to make real almost any architectural decisions: for instance, a hall 18ő18 m can be constructed without additional bearing walls or columns.
There is a wide range of LVL applications, among which are:
- truss systems;
- frame house building (as load bearing members, beams for practically all sizes of floor beams, trusses, etc.);
- floor, walls and ceiling structures;
- as elements of concrete casing for cast-in-place construction.
- The broad spectrum of LVL applications allows to successfully use it in construction of:
- houses with different number of storeys;
- administrative buildings and offices;
- dining halls, cafés, and shops;
- kindergartens, schools, and other educational institutions;
- stadiums;
- tennis courts;
- indoor skating rinks;
- culture and entertainment centers;
- exhibition halls;
- temporary constructions, etc.
Thanks to its strength properties and dimensional stability, LVL is successfully used not only as a structural material, but also for other purposes like doors production (as a door frame).
Cost-effectiveness, convenience, and short period of construction
Construction of buildings with use of LVL requires significantly less financial and time costs, than construction with use of metal, brick and concrete. LVL beams allow to essentially modernize and speed up construction technology. This material perfectly takes treatment with any modern tools. Use of LVL makes possible to avoid welding and apply equipment with lower loading capacity at construction site.
Prices for LVL beams are a bit higher than average prices for sawn timber, but structures made of LVL do not loose their geometry even after 10 years, which obviously justifies manufacturer’s costs.
Cost-effectiveness, convenience, and short construction period are the main reasons that make builders chose LVL.
Published in «Derevo.Ru» magazine, 2005.
(“New structural material “LVL beam UGRA”
has obtained an international certificate”)
|
)
)
)
